Chapter 11

My truth

I remembered Sango leading me to Kaede's house, I recall the way she brushed my hair back soothingly like a big sister would till I fell asleep. But as I'm lying here with my eyes shut tightly I hope that when I open them I'll see my sheets or my couch.

I held back my sigh of disappointment when I wake to see a wooden roof overhead.

"Ye are awake" I look to Kaede as she slowly rose from her spot on the ground

"Morning…" I mumbled as I sit upright, no one else is in the room. "I'm guessing they want you to talk to me?" I can't help sounding annoyed, it's like they didn't know me and couldn't just- Oh I don't know. Ask me about it.

"Yes, Inuyasha worries for you." I rolled my eyes "Tell me of this pain child?"

I don't really want to say anything, not wanting to relive the agony I felt. For the first time I notice my hand, leg and arm are bandaged. All the places he had touched, I look at Kaede then asking silent questions.

"Your flesh was burnt, do ye not recall this?"

"I remember the pain I just didn't know this is what it was." My fingers trace the clean work; I wonder who did it. I would have voiced my question when a loud rattling outside the hut sounded.

The door mat was shoved aside by his clawed hand "Fuck Sango! Let go of me already" As he pushed further in I noticed his other hand was wrapped in a familiar black chain.

From the door I can see Sango a few feet back, both heels deep in the ground, her back arched back as far as she could without hitting the ground.

"Sango I'm surprised; I didn't think Inuyasha of all people would've bested you" Miroku says from a safe distance

"You said contain him, not kill him. This would be easy if I had full control of my weapons and abilities, but You said not to take it too far. So which is it huh Monk!?"

Miroku put up his hands in peace and slightly bowed, moving a step or two back.

His growl drew my attention back to him "Shit Sango I said-" he grabbed the chain with both hands now "Let Go!" Inuyasha pulled at the chain, hard. I saw Sango fly up in the air, my breath caught in my throat.

What the hell was he thinking! Just as I thought she was going to drop on the ground Sango twisted in the air, wrapping the chain around her form, as she landed she pulled hard towards her. Inuyasha was pulled a few feet out the hut even as his feet dug crevices on the ground.

Kaede groaned at the sight of her wooden floors.

"Inuyasha please, Lady Kagome needs some space. That is until we find the source of her pain."

Inuyasha growled in annoyance "And you idiots think it's me! I told you morons already, it was that Yōkai from the future!"

"What Yōkai?" I ask under my breath but I should have known his demon hearing would pick up on that

"The same one that had you hostage back at the Shirne" I blink up at him

"Who? Riku?" Inuyasha's eyes flash red as he glares at me, his demon voice present under his.

"He was the one, it was His scent all over you!" I felt my anger boil at his accusation. I stand up, pushing back the wave of dizziness that fallowed.

"Inuyasha." I hold myself up straight "Sit Boy!"

Making a noise of irritation at his muffled curses, I stepped over him to go outside. Sango waited for me to reach her before she drew me in for a hug.

"You ok?" I nod and hug her back, at least this bit of my life went back to a somewhat normal feel. She lets go to inspect me, a worried smile on her face one that had my tension easing.

Sooner than I would have hoped he was standing tall beside me, glaring down at me. It would be intimidating if it weren't for that a bit of smudge on his chin. I smiled past his anger and reached out to brush the dirt away without even thinking about it.

The scorching sensation came quickly, and although it made me jump back and yelp, it didn't hurt as bad as before.

"Kagome!" he went to check my hand but had his own slapped away

"Don't touch her idiot" Sango took the offended hand and looked it over

"At least now we know for sure" Miroku came up to us after having watched the small transaction "It seems the pain that has plagued our Lady Kagome is triggered with physical contact. Not just any, but our demon friend here."

"No shit Monk, I told you already. That fucking Yōkai took Kagome and put some spell on her, isn't obvious?"

"You're wrong" I say, ignoring the hard glares he sends my way. "Look, Riku is human simple as that. There are no demons in my time, even if there was he wouldn't do this to me."

"How can you be certain?" Miroku pipped up beating Inuyasha to the punch

"I just do, I know him. Besides if he was a demon I'd be able to tell, you know the whole priestess thing."

"Feh! That's just the spell talking, besides you don't know the first thing about being a priestess." What an ass, I made sure to give him a nasty look before turning to Sango who looked deep in thought.

"A spell would explain the barrier around the well" She mumbled looking towards Miroku for input

There was a barrier around the well? Why didn't I notice it, was that why Inuyasha hadn't come for me?

"No, that barrier had pure magic surrounding it. If it was a spell it would have been cast by a very powerful priest or-" he peeks at me from the corners of his eyes "Priestess"

"Not another word Monk" Inuyasha's hands fisted, I can see the blood dripping from them. What was Miroku saying that had him so angry? "She's under a spell, end of story."

"I'm not under a spell for the last time!" I didn't back down even when Inuyasha stepped up to me, towering over me by a good foot and a half.

"You're under a spell, how else would you explain what you did to Shippo" Instantly I deflated "Because if you had your brains with ya you'd know that's a fucked up thing to do. Tricking the brat like that."

Breathe, I forgot to breathe. The guilt was chocking me; why did I do that? How could I? I knew it was wrong but then I still did it.

"Where's Shippo" he hadn't been there when I woke up

"Why should I-" Sango reached up and yanked his hair

"He's down by the river." I need to remember to thank her for being such a good friend.

I took off, being back in this time for as long as I am I know the layout by now. The ends and out of this village, yet I can't remember simple equations go figure.

He was there, his little feet soaking in the river. "Shippo?"

The relief I felt when he scrambled up to hug my stomach was overwhelming, I'm not even trying to stop the tears as I drop to my knees. Hugging him as close as I could.

"Are you better now Kagome?" He asks in between tiny sobs "Inuyasha said a demon was possessing you, did they get it out."

Why Inuyasha? I can't lie to him, not again.

"Shippo" I lift his head up so he can see into my eyes "That's not what happened, Shippo I-" Come on, fess up Higurashi. "I'm not under a spell or any kind of possession. I don't know why I tricked you like that, I knew it was wrong."

"Why'd you do it Kagome?" his crying renewed

"I'm so sorry sweetie I am, I did a nasty thing but I promise you. I'll never do anything like that again, can you forgive me."

He buried his little head against my stomach again, sobbing out an acceptance as he clung closer to me. I don't think I realized how long we sat there crying. Eventually I noticed Inuyasha crouching next to me, I can't tell how long he'd been there.

"You didn't do this Kagome, you weren't you." You don't get it; I shook my head putting Shippo down on the ground beside me. I stood then, forcing my hanyu to stand with me.

"I told you already, I'm not under a spell. I wanted to go home, simple as that but I was wrong. I acted selfish and That was wrong, but this isn't Riku's fault. He doesn't know about any of this, his only fault is liking a girl with a crazy double life."

His face twisted in a glare again, I'm too tired to scowl back.

"He doesn't like you! He's using you you're too stupid to see it."

Take a breather, don't lose your cool. "He doesn't even know I guard the jewel let alone that the jewel exists. There's nothing to benefit him, he just likes me ok. It's not that impossible."

"Who the hell is he anyway!? How can anyone fall for you like that!?"

I gritted my teeth, I was a fool before thinking there was something between us. Heh, I'm not even sure he likes me all that much.

"Look you made your opinion about me loud and clear, but he does and know what…" I can see his muscles tense "I like him too so there." I crossed my arms and turned away.

Had I kept my eyes on him I would have noticed him reaching for me, maybe moved out of the way. I don't think anything could have prepared me for the flames that engulfed my body. He spun me around sealing his lips to mine.

For a sweet moment I only felt his lips against mine, the longer he kept me there the worse the pain got. I was sobbing pulling desperately at his robes, ow, ow, OW!

"FOX FIRE" He was across from me in a second, crouching low to the ground, head bowed. Why had he done that? My legs gave out and I sat crossed leg, my hand touched my lips absently wincing when they stung.

Why had he done that! "You jerk you hurt Kagome"

He was there one second gone the next, just like him to cause a big mess then run away. After a bit the fire cooled off, but the bit of arm he had touched was still red and I pursed my lips down at it.

"You ok Kagome" Shippo crawled up my thighs to get a better view of my face

"Yea sweetie" I kissed his nose "Thank you."

"Kagome? Who's Riku?" I don't know why I was blushing, just the mention of him had me all flustered.

"Well he's my boyfriend" he looks confused tilting his head "Like um… he's courting me."

"Oh! What about Inuyasha?" Gee, just like Shippo to ask the hard questions

"Um… well he didn't make a move so technically I was single when I met Riku." He looks confused again "It means I was never asked by Inuyasha to be with him so I was available to accept Riku's proposal of courtship." I say kinda lamely, I don't know how else to say it.

"So you really are in love" Sango pipes up behind us. I think I squeaked while ducking my head to hide the ever growing blush on my face "And you're sure it's not a spell or anything."

Nodding I slowly looked at my best friend "Yea, it's the real deal alright. He's not a demon, not out to get me. He actually enjoys my company."

"He seems to enjoy a lot" she says slyly and I'm mortified now "This will only make Inuyasha more suspicious of him, not that he isn't already."

"He can think whatever he wants, Riku's not done anything wrong." I crossed my arms in a huff "Besides, I trust Riku he would never hurt me"

"Never?" she looked at me then, serious.

"Never." We sat in silence after that, I look up to the clear sky.

Riku was waiting for me, once this was over I'll fulfill my promise and give the jewel to Inuyasha. He could have the crummy thing and I'd go back home, who knows maybe live my life with Riku. Didn't seem that bad of an idea, for now I just have to keep my head on straight.

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Ok yea that was a bit of an uneventful chapter, but everything in it's on time. I hope it was ok though, let me know in the reviews.